AEMOND'S POV“Good morning sir,” Two voices chorused behind me in unison.I turned to the direction of the voices, It was Grayson and Waller; two of the men I had sent to capture Alpha Jake’s Luna. They leaned in a bow, but I couldn’t help but notice the cuts on their skin. My expression changed to that of disgust as I stared at them from head to toe. “Why do you both look like you were involved in a fight with a bear?,” I asked, my tone etched with distaste.“Arrh…” Grayson stammered, both glaring at themselves in embarrassment, making them rather tense.“Hold on!” I said, my voice low and calculating. “Do not tell me you and the others messed up the mission,” I growled, anger slowly creeping into my tone.Alpha Leo had made it clear he didn’t want to hear stories and I wasn’t ready to go tell him one. “You both start talking or else, you would have wished you got torn apart by whatever it is that gave you these bruises,” I hissed at them, my chest already rising and falling in ang
LYRA'S POVThe squeaky sound of the rusty iron gate followed by approaching footsteps pulled me up from my slumber. I slowly peeled my eyes open trying to figure out where I was, but my vision was still foggy. A load of sharp pain shot throughout my body from the back of my head. I tried to massage my neck region where the pain aches more when I heard the rattling of the chain and my hand couldn’t reach it, that was when I realized I was chained. Too weak to struggle, I fell back to the floor, my hair covering my face.“Turn the nozzle on!” I faintly heard a man's order, followed by another affirming the instruction. In an instant, the power of the running water hit my head, shifting me from the spot I laid. I struggled to breathe as the water continually splashed against my face and chest, choking me with every breath I took.“Please!” I begged, throwing my arm across my face to protect my already burning eyes from the impact of the water. I tried to shout for help but almost got ch
LYRA'S POV“What the hell just happened.” I queried, turning my head to see where I was.Sitting up from the soft bed I laid on, pain throbbed at the back of my skull making me groan. “Where is it?” I muttered almost inaudibly. I felt something different about my body. It wasn't reeking with sweat and dirt anymore, it felt somehow refreshed. I looked down and my heart twisted. How…How did I get into this outfit? I pondered in my mind. The last thing I remembered was three men standing with me in my cell, I tried to escape only to be knocked out cold. “Did they? No no no,” I held my hand over my chest in embarrassment. I couldn't wait to set my eyes on them so I could smack them right in the face. “Get her! The Alpha would be in his court in no time. We don't want him to be there before us,” a deep voice came from the passage outside the room. Seconds after, the door pushed open.I could never forget his face! The guard who seized me as I tried to escape. “You perv! How dare you?” I
ALPHA LEO’S POV“Something about today feels a little bit different, I don’t know what it is but the pull is that strong,” I spoke to Zeus, my wolf through our mindlink as I stood in front of my mirror getting ready for the day.“I thought it was me being in heat, I had been restless since the moment your Beta informed you about the capture of the captive,” Zeus responded with a soft growl.I finally have the opportunity today to meet with the captive. Aemon had informed me earlier she was being cleaned up by the maids. I can’t wait to drag Alpha Jake by his balls and watch him plead for mercy when I have my pistol pointed to her skull.I was about to wear my Oud cologne when Zeus interrupted my thought with a weird question. “What if she is your mate,” Zeus asked, freezing my finger mid-air from pressing down on the spray nozzle.Mate? That’s ridiculous. The word ‘Mate’ had never been a watchword in my dictionary until after I got my heart broken by a woman I cherished a lot while gr
LYRA’S POVThe cold feeling of the ultrasound gel brought me nothing but joy as the blonde doctor gently applied it on the lower part of my belly. She rolled the transducer softly over the gel, revealing my fetus on the screen hanging by my right. I felt a prickle of tear drop from the corner of my eyes.“Isn’t it beautiful?” I asked, sniffing a loose mucus about to drip out from my nostril. The doctor nodded in affirmation with a smile on her face. “Of course, it is! Just like you,” we both laughed at her comment. “That is very kind of you,” I mentioned. “How long will it take to determine the sex of my baby?” I asked, curiosity etched in my tone.“Well, it is quite early to tell, ma’am. You are just eight weeks gone,” She responded, still rolling the knob over the gel. Suddenly, her brows knitted together, as though she spotted something wrong. My heart immediately skipped a beat. “Is everything alright?” I asked, trying to sit up. My brows furrowed and my tone was low and laced
LYRA'S POVThe driver killed the engine at the end of the driveway in front of the pack house. I picked up my belongings still looking at Leo unsure what he had up his sleeves. “You know I hate suspense. Tell me already! What is this surprise?” I pouted playfully pushing the door open. “The last time I remember, you cherished the word surprise more than your name,” Leo teased, slamming the door shut. He returned my side glance with a smirk before shifting his gaze from me.“Welcome Miss Lyra, kindly walk with me this way,” a middle-aged lady greeted me with a bow before freeing me of the items I held in my hand. One would think she was a younger lady given her striking physical appearance. The wavy brown hair, a pair of beautiful green eyes, and a well-toned body. Most of all, a dazzling smile. I flashed a soft smile back at her responding to her greetings.I pointed to a group of men standing at the far end of the driveway, their eyes shaded by oversized sunglasses, puffing Cuban
LYRA’S POVI felt my heart skip a beat instantly. "What?" I exclaimed inaudibly.How did he find me? I could feel my heart threatening to jump out of my chest. Standing right in front of me with my shoes in his hand was the guy I noticed earlier at the party—the one with the charming smile and an irresistible physic. He held my shoes up in the air, glancing at me with a look that made me shake.I stood upright, dusting off dirt and pieces of flower thorns hanging on my dress. Embarrassed at being caught barefoot and breathless in the middle of a chase I couldn’t even explain.“Uhm—no, I wasn’t running,” I said, laughing nervously and smoothing my hair. “I just…I just thought I saw something back there,” I forced the smile to remain on my face, pointing back to the spot where he caught me.His brows furrowed. “In the dark? Barefoot?” he queried.“Well,” I chuckled awkwardly, “I thought I saw someone running through the garden. But I guess it was just in my head. Or the wine.”He steppe
ELLA’S POVIt's been over a week since Lyra's disappearance from Shadowclaw. Everything and everyone feels tense. Alpha Jake has mounted strict surveillance and curfew. One had to be more calculative before they did anything.That being the situation, I was more concerned with the fact Lyra turned out to be Leo's lost sister and suddenly he had stopped his pursuit of Alpha Jake. Probably because he is the father of Lyra’s unborn baby which spells doom for me.Lyra knows I organized the kidnap and Leo must have filled her in on what transpired. She'd likely come for me and my brother Jimmy who is in a lot more danger than he was before now.“I have to act up quickly before I get caught up in all of it,” I whispered to myself, sipping a glass of fruit juice I had in front of me. The buzz of my cell phone made me flinch back to reality. I reached for it and my expression suddenly darkened when I saw who it was. “Aemond? What does he want from me again?” I grumbled before taking the call.
AEMOND'S POV “Sir..sir, I think we have a big problem!” A guard rushed in, panting like he had escaped an attack from a polar bear.I spun sharply. “Are you out of your damn mind?” I snapped, walking towards the guard. "How dare you barge into my chambers without knocking? I'm sure you want this day to be your last here in the pack house as a guard, right? I yelled into his face.The young man recoiled his eyes wide with fear. His face was pale, sweat gathering around his temples. “I…I’m sorry, Alpha Aemond! But it’s urgent. You need to come. Now,” he stuttered, leaning in a bow.I heaved a sigh, seeing how his body shook in fear. "And was that why you had to badge into the chambers like a mad man?” I queried him. My voice, softer and calmer than before.He didn't say another word, just words of apology. Took a long look at him and eased him off the tension in his body. "You may go. I'd be out there in a minute," I waved him off like a housefly, turning back to my seat. He wasted no
DON CARLITO'S POVI stood at my usual spot- The rooftop of my estate overlooking the city. It was past mid-afternoon, but today the weather wasn't harsh. It was windy, though not storm-like, but I couldn't sense it brewing, making me uncomfortable.Today seemed quiet, too damn quiet for a man like me. In my world, silence does not mean peace; it meant tension. It meant something was about to snap and I hated not being ahead of events.I viewed the city through my massive periscope, swaying it left and right, observing the street, which was the breeding site of chaos. "Any news from the head of the shadow boys?" I asked in a carefree tone, still looking through the periscope."Nothing, Sir. The last time I heard from Perez, he informed me the shipments are yet to arrive at the port," my assistant, Quavo, responded sharply. Quavo had been my eyes and ears around the city, sometimes I wonder why I hadn't given him the task of getting me the girl and the damn pendant."We are expecting
AEMOND'S POVWalking through the halls of the pack house felt different this time. I could hear the whispers of my name through every wall I walked past. No one dared to look me in the eyes. Everyone scrambles off at the sight of me.I was headed to the cell when one of the guards ran up to me, hastening his steps to meet up with my pace.“I was informed you called for me Beta Aemond!” He said, gasping for breath.Did he just address me as Beta? What insolence! I stopped abruptly, clenching my fist with a twisted face and slowly turning around with my jaw twisting.“I am going to forgive your ignorance,” I said slowly, raising my eyes to meet that of the guard. “Next time!” I continued with a slow, dragged tone. “You don't address me as Beta! I am Alpha Aemond! And you, along with everyone else, will address me as that!” I hissed.The guard trembled as he bowed his head, apologizing for the misconception. “I am sorry, Alpha Aemond!” He pleaded.I scoffed, waving it off. “I need you to
AEMOND'S POVI paced up and down what remained of the temple, my mind racing with words Valkyrie had told me in the trance. I had to get everything from that little bi**h. I never thought things would go south and now I have to go an extra length to get her. I growled in frustration, turning to Zephyr who stood motionless staring at me.“He offered me everything, Zephyr,” I muttered, sitting on the stone ledge beside the large window, staring into the dying twilight. “All, I have to do is get the damn bond broken and everything...I mean everything will be mine!" I voiced out with every sense of certainty.Zephyr shook his head in what seemed like disbelief.“You are totally out of your damn mind!” he barked, clawing his head in frustration. “No one strikes a deal with Valkyrie and walks out whole! That’s like shaking hands with the goddamn devil. You will lose everything and I mean every single thing!” he growled in a low tone, cautious not to have anyone hear him.A low growl rumbled
LYRA’S POVJake's face twisted in anger as he sprang from his seat, pointing towards Alpha Benson. Veins, lining the side of his forehead. His eyes, once filled with warmth, now brimmed with something heavier; rage, hurt, and betrayal. I could feel it roll off him like a tidal wave. Every person in that hall instinctively held their breath.Hauling Alpha Benson in what seemed like an arm drag, Jake stepped forward slowly, his voice deep and controlled, echoing through the grand hall. “Alpha Benson of the Arrakis Pack,” he began, eyes locked with Alpha Benson. “You were once considered an ally, a partner, and a friend," he growled with a low, yet steady tone. "A father figure in diplomacy. A man I once trusted to walk beside me in strength and wisdom,” he said, holding up his chin.Alpha Benson looked up from where he knelt, sweat pooling on his forehead. He didn't dare speak. Nobody dared intervene at this moment, not even me.“But instead,” Jake continued, squeezing hard on Benson's
LYRA'S POVMy sight blurred, I could feel something dripping down my nose but I barely paid attention to it. I bent down over Ella, my hands gripping her neck. She squirmed beneath me, making gurgling sounds, her hands feebly hitting my wrists. I didn't mind I had just gone through a painful evacuation process, I damned every sting of pain I felt in my body. All I sensed was the fire within my soul, the sting of betrayal seeping through my fury."LYRA! STOP!"Selene's voice struck through the thick rage in my head like a clap of thunder. My head jerked up, hair tousled around my face, nostrils widening. I turned towards the direction of the voice and noticed her sprinting towards me. Her face was drained with fear of what I might do to Ella."Stop Lyra, You're bleeding!" she yelled, pointing down.Bleeding? The words got to me. I must have stressed my healing body with magic. I noticed my body has been slow to heal likely due to the fact Aemond was wielding part of my powers and the
LYRA'S POVI watched Jake snatch the medical reports from Selene, frantically. His eyes scanned through each line and paragraph. As soon as his hands and shoulders dropped, I realized this was not a joke.“No, No!,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. "This is not true," my voice broke as I spoke. "Nothing is wrong with my child. He's healthy and fine," I stuttered, placing my hand over my stomach, hoping to protect my baby from the unbelievable news I was hearing.My vision gradually began to blur as warm fluid rushed into my eyes. I pressed down on my lip trying to stop it from rolling off my eyes but my lip trembled. I felt a string in my heart snap, as my chest constricted. The weight of Selene's announcement pressed on me, sinking me into an abyss.“Wh…What did you just say?” I asked in a low tone, my voice shaking. Somehow I hoped Selene was mistaken, maybe the scan results weren't for me.I slowly turned my attention to Jake, staring into his eyes. For the first time, n
ELLA’S POVThe sun hadn’t yet made an appearance when I exited my room, the morning chill gnawing at my skin through my cloak. I could barely see the person approaching me due to the thick morning dew. My boots lightly struck the marble floor of the corridors, each step resonating a bit more than I wanted it to. I glided like mist, sneaking by guards still on their morning duty, and past maids who wiped the sleep from their eyes and didn’t question my unusual movement this morning.I barely closed my eyes to sleep all through the night. I knew the moment Lyra woke up I would be doomed. Aemond had turned on me, I had no ally. While my mind roamed, an idea clicked in my head. Tasha, my friend from college. Maybe she could help. She owed me a favor after I helped her set up her fiance's former girlfriend so he could date her.I made my way quietly into the infirmary which was still enveloped in the silence of early morning. The scent of disinfectants filled the atmosphere, reaching my n
LYRA'S POV“Um, I think this is my cue to leave now,” Lisa chuckled nervously, making me break off from the intense lip greeting Jake and I were having. “I'd get myself hooked up with an activity around the house, probably come back to check up on you later,” she said, holding on to little Jayden who wanted to break loose from her grip and play around.“It's alright,” I nodded with a smile, biting softly on my lower lip, my face flushed with embarrassment. We both watched her step out of the room, shutting the door behind her.I heaved a deep sigh, shifting my attention back to Jake who never took his enchanting gray eyes off of my face. The deafening silence stretched for about a minute before we broke it off.“So, tell me…,” we both chorused in unison. One would think it was a rehearsed moment. “You go ahead,” I said to him. My voice was barely above a whisper with my face growing warm as I smiled softly, shifting my gaze away from his face.“I know you have a ton of questions to a